Electrochemical Testing and Structural Characterisation of Nickel Based Catalytic Coatings Produced by Direct Spraying

In this paper a novel processing technique has been used to produce a range of low overpotential nickel based electrocatalytic coatings for use in the Chlor-alkali industry. These coatings include pure nickel as well as Raney nickel alloys, with particular focus upon the beneficial effects of molybdenum additions to Raney nickel. Structural characterisation of all coatings has been carried out using X-ray diffraction for quantitative phase identification, backed up by optical and electron microscopy for analysis of phase distribution. Measurement of the coatings' electrochemical properties has been performed in fully functioning micro-pilot scale electrolysis cells.